SAN FRANCISCO — As President Donald Trump enforces stricter measures against undocumented immigrants, many families are left questioning the safety of sending their children to school.
In numerous educational districts, teachers and administrators have made efforts to reassure immigrant parents that schools remain safe environments, despite Trump’s commitment to mass deportations. However, anxiety heightened following a recent announcement from the Trump administration, permitting federal immigration agencies to conduct apprehensions at schools, churches, and hospitals, effectively nullifying a long-standing policy.
Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, expressed her disbelief at this decision, stating, “Oh, dear God! I can’t imagine why they would do that.” She plans to take her grandchildren, aged 6 and 4, to school the following day unless she receives a warning from school officials regarding safety risks.
“My nerves have been calmed by the assurance from the school that they will inform us if it’s unsafe for our children,” Carmen remarked, choosing to provide only her first name due to concerns of being targeted by immigration authorities.
Across the nation, immigrants are grappling with stress stemming from Trump’s promises to deport millions. Despite the anticipated raids not materializing on the administration’s initial day, the swift changes in immigration policies have left many feeling lost and anxious about their futures. Presently, many families are carefully deliberating how to navigate public spaces, while educational institutions track the potential impact on student attendance. Several schools reported receiving calls from distressed parents concerned about rumors of immigration agents infiltrating school premises, but it remains unclear if significant numbers of families are keeping their children at home.
The recent policy adjustment allows federal agencies — including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection — to operate in sensitive places, reversing prior guidelines that restricted enforcement in schools and houses of worship. The Department of Homeland Security stated, “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”
Daniela Anello, the leader of D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School, expressed her shock at this development: “It’s horrific. There’s no such thing as hiding anyone. It doesn’t happen, hasn’t happened. … It’s ridiculous.”
According to estimates from the Migration Policy Institute, over 733,000 school-aged children in the U.S. are undocumented. Additionally, many American citizens have parents who are living illegally in the country.
In response, several educational officials in various states are committed to defending the rights of immigrant students, including their right to access public education. In California, for instance, authorities have provided schools with guidance regarding state laws that restrict local involvement in immigration enforcement.
In November, the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education passed a resolution stating that schools would not assist ICE agents in immigration law enforcement, emphasizing that agents would not have access to schools without a criminal warrant. Furthermore, principals in New York City were recently reminded of the district’s policy against collecting information regarding a student’s immigration status.
However, the climate is not uniform across the country. In several districts, assurances for immigrant families have not been forthcoming.
At Georgia’s Fugees Academy Charter School, educators have noted that even families who are legally present in the U.S. are feeling intimidated by Trump’s expansive proposals regarding the deportation of millions and the restriction of rights for non-citizens. “They’re not even at risk of deportation and they’re still scared,” lamented Chief Operating Officer Luma Mufleh. This apprehension prompted school officials to adjust their exam schedule to accommodate the expected absenteeism following Trump’s inauguration.
When asked about attendance figures, school officials were hesitant to disclose any information, stating, “We don’t want our school to be targeted,” according to Mufleh.
The new immigration enforcement policy at schools is likely to lead some immigrant parents, even those facing minimal risk, to keep their children home out of fear of deportation, believes Michael Lukens, executive director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. He described this as part of the administration’s strategy to make conditions so unbearable that immigrants would eventually leave the U.S. willingly.
For Iris Gonzalez, a resident of Boston, schools appear to be one of the few remaining safe spaces; she has had children enrolled in local schools for nearly a decade without worries of being questioned about their legal status. “Education is important,” she affirmed in Spanish, adding that her daughters will continue attending school.
Gonzalez, who entered the U.S. illegally from Guatemala 14 years ago, expressed anxiety about other environments, such as courthouses or while driving, despite being licensed. “What if they stop me?” she questioned.
“I don’t sleep,” she shared. “There’s a lot of uncertainty about how to look for work, whether to keep driving, and what changes lie ahead.”
Carmen, also concerned for her family, highlighted the severity of their situation, as returning to Mexico is not an option due to threats they have faced since her son-in-law was kidnapped two years ago in Michoacan — a region plagued by drug cartel violence.
Carmen arrived two years back under the previous administration’s program that permitted asylum seekers to enter the U.S. and apply for permission to stay, but she has yet to hear back about her asylum request after several hearings.
“My biggest fear is that we don’t have anywhere to go back to,” she expressed. “It’s about saving our lives and protecting our children.”
